City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: FEBRUARY 4, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CHERAN IVERY, CITY ATTORNEY
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Resolution Certifying the Existence of a Vacancy on the City Council and Authorizing the City Attorney to Petition the Circuit Court of the City of Alexandria for a Writ of Election
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ISSUE: Consideration of a resolution certifying the existing of a vacancy on the City Council as a result of the resignation of Councilmember R. Kirk McPike as of February 9, 2026, and authorizing the City Attorney to file a petition for writ of election with the Circuit Court for the City of Alexandria requesting a special election date of April 21, 2026.
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the resolution.
BACKGROUND:
Councilmember R. Kirk McPike resigned from the City Council effective February 9, 2026, creating a vacancy in the membership of the City Council. Under Section 10.02 of the Alexandria City Charter, vacancies occurring on or before 180 days prior to the next regular council election must be filled by a special popular election for the unexpired term, and the City Council is required to certify the existence of the vacancy to the Circuit Court of the City of Alexandria.
Pursuant to Section 24.2-226 of the Code of Virginia, the City Council must petition the Circuit Court within fifteen (15) days of the occurrence of the vacancy to issue a writ of election. The Circuit Court is then required to order that the special election be held not less than forty (40) nor more than sixty (60) days after the filing of the petition.
A statewide referendum is scheduled for April 21, 2026. To reduce election costs and avoid voter confusion associated with multiple elections held in close succession, the City Council is requesting that the special election to fill the City Council vacancy be held on that same date. This request is being made in consultation with the Registrar.
FISCAL IMPACT: Holding the special election on the same date as the statewide referendum will result in a cost-savings.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
STAFF:
Cheran Ivery, City Attorney
Bonnie Brown, Deputy City Attorney
Benjamin Naidorf, Assistant City Attorney